Professor Weerasooriya has developed a team-based approach to deal with the complexity and potential risks of managing patients with heart rhythm problems. The team includes dedicated electrophysiology technicians, physician assistants, specific cardiac cath lab nurses, a subspecialised nurse and a team of anaesthetists who all have high volume expertise in arrhythmia procedures.
Each member of the team is highly trained and experienced. Because arrhythmia procedures can be some of the most complex procedures in cardiology, we have adopted risk management strategies from the aviation industry including the routine use of checklists and a ‘no blame’ reporting and communication policy.
Professor Rukshen Weerasooriya
Professor Weerasooriya is a UWA graduate who completed cardiology training at Royal Perth Hospital. Rukshen commenced private atrial fibrillation ablation procedures in 2003 after returning from 2 years training overseas at the world’s leading centre for AF ablation – the Hopital Cardiologique du Haut Leveque in Bordeaux, France. AF ablation was pioneered and subsequently developed for mainstream application by the cardiac electrophysiologists in Bordeaux.
Rukshen is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at UWA and has maintained close links with his alma mater and he maintains a position as visiting scientist at the LIRYC Institute of advanced cardiac arrhythmia mapping in Bordeaux (www.ihu-liryc.fr). Rukshen has sub-speciality training in all aspects of heart rhythm management, and in addition to performing catheter ablation procedures, the practice is a high-volume implanter of cardiac rhythm devices such as pacemakers and implanted defibrillators.
Aruni Weerasooriya
Aruni Weerasooriya
Aruni is an Electrophysiology Technician who works with Professor Weerasooriya and his team during the ablation procedures at Hollywood Private Hospital and Mount Hospital. Aruni has been extensively trained under the direct supervision of Professor Weerasooriya during the past 10 years. Aruni also assists Professor Weerasooriya with co-ordinating and assisting in the management of his research projects when required. Aruni holds a Graduate Diploma in Electrophysiology from the Cardiac Electrophysiology Institute of Australasia (CEPIA).
Doctor Wei Hong Chua
Doctor Wei Hong Chua
Doctor Chua studied Medicine at the University of New South Wales, where he spent most of his undergraduate training at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. Upon relocating to Perth, he worked at the major teaching hospitals, before completing his Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Currently he divides his time between GP and Heart Rhythm Clinic. Dr Chua has extensive knowledge about arrhythmia and catheter ablation procedures and is the assistant physician to Professor Weerasooriya during complex ablation procedures.
Bipin Phillip
Bipin Phillip
Bipin is the Heart Rhythm Clinic’s cardiac device nurse. He has a background in cardiac and catheter laboratory nursing. Bipin has completed a Bachelors and Masters in Nursing and has been trained by Rukshen in cardiac implanted device follow-up requirements. In collaboration with the front desk team, Bipin organises and manages our regular weekly device clinic in Nedlands checking and maintaining pacemakers, implanted defibrillators, and loop recorders. Bipin is in a collaborative clinical role at Heart Rhythm Clinic, which encompasses patient care, device programming remote device monitoring and relevant communication with general practitioners, cardiologists and Professor Weerasooriya. Bipin is well advanced towards achieving formal qualification and cardiac electrophysiology
technical training through the Cardiac Electrophysiology Institute of Australia (CEPIA).
International Expert Advisory Board of the Heart Rhythm Clinic
The International Expert Advisory Board represents some of the world’s most experienced electrophysiologists in the field of AF ablation. The panel provides expert advice and consultation to Professor Weerasooriya regarding complex or technically challenging cases. Members of the panel regularly visit Perth to undertake clinical work, quality assurance/audit, research and teaching in collaboration with HRC.
Professor Pierre Jaïs
Professor Pierre Jaïs
Professor Christophe Scavee
Professor Christophe Scavee
Christophe Scavee is the Head of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Cliniques St Luc in Brussels. Christophe is a high-volume AF ablation specialist who is dedicated to teaching and research at The Catholic University of Louvain. Christophe regularly visits Perth to undertake training and quality assurance at Heart Rhythm Clinic and regularly speaks with Rukshen regarding more challenging cases.
Professor Laurent Macle
Professor Laurent Macle
Clinic Staff
Our friendly reception staff are your first point of contact for any queries you may have. Alyssa and Marlies are here to help you to ensure that you have a smooth patient journey with HRC, from booking your initial consultation through to your discharge date.
Alyssa
Alyssa
Marlies
Marlies
Marlies is the newest member of the Heart Rhythm Clinic team. She has a degree in Mass Communication and has previously worked in local government. Marlies is passionate about patient engagement and is also able to assist patients with any of their AliveCor queries.